A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter carrier has completed its first multilarge deck exercise with foreign navies since being upgraded with the ability to embark fixed-wing fighter aircraft which is referred to by the US as the Pacific Steller multilarge deck event (MLDE) It began on 8 February and took place in the Philippine Sea “‘Pacific Steller 2025' allows us to practise seamless integration with our French and Japanese allies in a multidomain environment,” said Rear Admiral Michael Wosje commander of the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 in a statement issued by the US Pacific Fleet Images and videos released by the US Pacific Fleet indicate that the drills that took place at the exercise included co-ordinated sails and helicopter cross-deck landing operations between the US and French carriers Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more.. Delivering trusted intelligence to warfighters to protect national interests Providing mission users with faster access to quality data to pre-empt threats and protect national security Assured interconnected OSINT to deliver informed Solutions Insights About Contact Request a demo Customer Login Store Receive the latest developments in defence and security as well as keep informed on Janes news and events Janes Intelligence SummaryA fortnightly update featuring the latest analysis Spanning 248 meters in length and 38 meters in width, the Izumo is the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) largest destroyer its members carry out their duties on missions that can last several months What is life like for those entrusted with the high-pressure task of national defense aboard the ship? In June, this reporter embarked on a seven-day voyage with the Izumo's crew from Guam to the Port of Yokosuka My aim was to get a glimpse into their daily lives and uncover the human side of these dedicated personnel The helicopter hangar located below the deck provides a valuable many crew members would work up a sweat running or exercising beside the helicopters Among them, Lieutenant Commander Takuya Tomimura (49) stood out, dressed in a hakama. With swift, precise movements, he repeatedly drew and swung his sword. He holds a second-dan rank in iaido is a place where critical decisions are constantly made so the atmosphere is always tense," Tomimura explained "Practicing iaido here helps me clear my mind and recharge." I was struck by Leading Seaman Yuri Tsunashima (22) she skillfully directed the takeoffs and landings of patrol helicopters using semaphore signals Amid the deafening roar of helicopter rotors and intense wind pressure she adeptly waves green and red flags in all directions Her every movement communicates a different signal to the pilots Many of the crew consider her expertise among the finest on the ship CAPTION: Leading Seaman Yuri Tsunashima enjoying ice cream with her shipmates in the mess hall at night but I always meticulously guide them to ensure they arrive safely," she related One of Tsunashima's favorite pastimes during voyages is sharing ice cream with her shipmates in the mess hall at night Taking after her father, a former Self-Defense Forces (SDF) member she enlisted in the MSDF and now works as a signalperson She also handles torpedoes and machine guns in the hangar "I find this job fulfilling because I get to interact with people of all ages I have the opportunity to travel to various countries," she smiled personal space is typically limited to just a bunk bed and a locker the size of a school bag This makes staying in touch with family back on land difficult the crew's personal lives are tightly compacted Kenta Fuchigami (27) is a third-class petty officer responsible for inspecting the ship's diesel engines On his locker is a photo of his one-and-a-half-year-old son He hasn't seen him for about a month due to the voyage "I feel bad for leaving everything at home to my wife," he said as it allows me to concentrate fully on my duties." but I believe our country thrives because each person fulfills their own responsibilities," Fuchigami stated I'm committed to ensuring citizens and their families can live with peace of mind," he emphasized The Izumo glides steadily through the cobalt-blue sea It barely sways as it carries SDF personnel on their crucial missions to safeguard the nation's security and peace (Read the article in Japanese.) Author: Kanata Iwasaki You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " For all the talk about how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is rising to dominate the Indo-Pacific not only economically but militarily, many often overlook China’s arch historical nemesis and neighbor the technology Japan possesses is likely (at least for now) far ahead of the technologies currently available either to Chinese citizens or the Chinese military (again this is already changing and is likely to continue changing over time).  That’s because the Izumo-class is really a light aircraft carrier. And, if America’s recent experiences against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen haven’t shown aircraft carriers are to the modern maritime battlefield what the battleships of yore were to the naval battles of World War II.  no matter how many whizbang technologies the Japanese incorporate into them.  quickly refashioned them into secret aircraft carriers as the Japanese watched China becoming more belligerent at sea.  China is outproducing military equipment compared to the Japanese Self-Defense forces Ditto even for the militaries of the United States and its other allies Japan’s Izumo-class helicopter destroyers displace around 27,000 tons when fully loaded and are comparable in size to light aircraft carriers (that’s actually what they are) The Izumos can accommodate up to twenty-eight helicopters or fourteen larger aircraft When the boats were primarily used as anti-submarine warfare ships they had an initial complement of seven SH-60J/K anti-submarine warfare helos and two search-and-rescue helicopters.  they can accommodate the launch of up to five helicopters simultaneously Japan’s war planners had not intended for fixed-wing aircraft to be deployed from these boats which have vertical-takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities the Izumos are now aircraft carriers in all but name.  by bringing fifth-generation warplanes into their complement of aircraft onboard the Izumo-class now punches well above its weight as a “helicopter destroyer” warship.  if the Izumo-class warships were ever deployed into areas of the Indo-Pacific that China covets they would immediately run into the melee of China’s A2/AD systems that form protective “bubbles” over territories that China holds.  while technically superior to most Chinese PLAN warships the small number of these boats in Japan’s fleet and the fact that most surface warships are under extreme risk from China’s A2/AD bubbles in the contested Indo-Pacific means that the JMSDF should seriously rethink its overall strategy involving these helicopter destroyers Further, Tokyo, like the other Western powers, has done little to address the Chinese A2/AD threat to its surface warfare fleet the Chinese A2/AD threat to surface warships is so profound and complex that whatever technological advantages the Izumo-class has over its Chinese rivals are less important than the advantages that Beijing’s forces have amassed in the region A better use of Japanese resources and technological innovation would be developing systems to destroy those Chinese A2/AD systems and to threaten China’s mainland (such as hypersonic weapons).  Japan has made the exact same mistakes that all Western navies have made They are preparing for tomorrow’s wars today using yesterday’s best tactics and strategies.  With the successful completion of the recent tests the Army is slated to deploy the first battery of LHRW by the end of FY2025 Ending critical mineral dependence will require more than the recently announced deal with Ukraine the United States and Ukraine finally signed a rare earth mineral… ensconced in their mountains in northern Yemen Stay in the know with The National Interest newsletter © Copyright 2025 Center for the National Interest We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyse how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Home » US Navy F-35B successfully lands aboard JS Kaga for the first time “Sea trials will leverage the ship’s recent modifications to conduct fixed-wing aircraft operations The trials will also pave the way for allies’ increased ability to operate in conjunction with each other.”Michael Land a public affairs officer for the Naval Air Station Patuxent River “This test is essential for strengthening Japan’s defense capabilities and is of utmost importance We will do our best to achieve good test results together with the ITF,” Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Capt “This test does not merely enhance the capabilities of the Maritime Self-Defense Force It also improves the interoperability between Japan and the U.S. strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S thereby contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the captain also said In September, the JMSDF announced its helicopter carrier JS Kaga plans to conduct on-board operational tests of F-35B aircraft off the coast of San Diego With the support of the USN and United States Marine Corps F-35B fighter aircraft from the VX-23 is scheduled to conduct primary tests such as short takeoff which is being converted into a fully-fledged aircraft carrier capable of enabling F-35B operations The operational tests of the Kaga is being conducted as part of the deployment of the JMSDF’s 4th Surface Unit for the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24) About 20 members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are also participating in the operational tests The JMSDF is currently modifying its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers – JS Izumo and JS Kaga – into light aircraft carriers The conversion of the Izumo-class vessels into aircraft carriers is aimed at strengthening deterrence against the Chinese military which is making aggressive advances into the East and South China Seas and the Pacific Ocean The two vessels have been modified twice each taking advantage of the ships’ periodic refit and overhaul programs The Kaga just finished its first major modification at the end of March this year Part of the ship’s deck also has been made heat-resistant to withstand the heat of aircraft landings the JMSDF also conducted takeoff and landing tests of the F-35B on the Izumo The tests took place off the coast of Shikoku Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni participated the Izumo is undergoing the conversion of the bow section of its flight deck from a trapezoid into a square shape The Kaga underwent the same modifications during fiscal year 2023 The ministry said the Izumo’s modification is scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 2027 The two Izumo-class helicopter carriers (locally classified as “helicopter destroyers”) are 248 meters long and have a standard displacement of 19,500 tons The JASDF has yet to receive any U.S.-made F-35Bs although the first is scheduled to be delivered to Japan by the end of fiscal year 2024 The JASDF plans to acquire a total of 42 F-35Bs The Ministry of Defense in Tokyo plans to deploy the fighter aircraft to JASDF’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture located in southeastern Kyushu Island on Japan’s Pacific coast by establishing a roughly 110-men Temporary F-35B Squadron in the air base Naval News brings you news coverage of the latest naval defense shows & events We are also reporting on naval technology from all over the world Courtesy of Japan National Tourism Organization The conversion is part of a broader modernization strategy reflecting Japan’s growing emphasis on defense capabilities The JMSDF has been busy reworking the ships’ flight decks The trials are expected to inform the final tweaks needed to complete the ships’ transformation by 2026 JMSDF has also been working with other carrier nations, including Italy and the United Kingdom to learn best practices for operating the F-35 at sea Meanwhile, geopolitics remain tense in the Pacific. According to USNI news Samuel Paparo had a video call with China’s PLA Southern Theater Commander Gen It’s the first contact between the two since China froze military communications in 2022 part of a diplomatic thaw after talks between President Biden and President Xi signals an attempt to lower the temperature in a region where missteps could lead to conflict Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a conference call with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun in April which was followed by an in-person meeting at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox April 4 (Reuters) – China has demanded that Taiwan compensate Chinese fishermen for losses after a Taiwanese navy landing ship and a Chinese fishing boat collided outside restricted waters last week... departed from the Naval Air Station in San Diego for what is likely to be its final deployment... Testing of counter-drone technology near Reagan Washington National Airport by the U.S Secret Service and Navy earlier this month led to numerous flight crews receiving faulty alerts of potentially nearby aircraft the Federal Aviation Administration and a U.S Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news Stay informed with the latest maritime and offshore news For general inquiries and to contact us,please email: [email protected] To submit a story idea or contact our editors, please email: [email protected] For advertising opportunities contactEmail: [email protected]Phone: +1.805.704.2536 Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe Ryan Chan is a Newsweek reporter based in Hong Kong, where he previously had over a decade of experience at a local newspaper, covering China and current events around the world. His focus is on security and defense issues in the Western Pacific region. He is a graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University. You can get in touch with Ryan by emailing r.chan@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content An advanced United States fighter jet has completed trials with a Japanese helicopter carrier undergoing conversion into a light aircraft carrier interoperability and strengthened deterrence and response capabilities "thereby contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region." JS KAGA has successfully completed onboard trials for F-35B operations!🌊🚢✈️ pic.twitter.com/aI5QWHb0aU the F-35B can land vertically like a helicopter and take off in very short distances according to its manufacturer allowing it to operate from air-capable ships such as the Izumo-class vessels Japan approved new defense program guidelines in 2018 that facilitated the modification of Izumo-class warships—the Kaga and JS Izumo—into the country's first aircraft carriers since World War II including waters around Japan's Southwest Islands The Kaga began developmental tests with the F-35B on October 20 fighter jet landed aboard the warship for the first time off the southern coast of California The sea trials leveraged the ship's modifications to conduct fixed-wing aircraft operations which included painting the flight deck with heat-resistant material that can tolerate the fighter jet's engines as well as reshaping its bow from a trapezoid to a rectangular shape According to Newsweek's weekly update of aircraft carrier movements in the Pacific Ocean the Izumo left Yokosuka naval base in Japan on November 1 to undergo a major refit as part of its conversion into a light aircraft carrier It underwent initial modifications in 2021 and became the first Japanese naval vessel to carry fixed-wing aircraft since World War II when a F-35B landed and launched from it The U.S. has the largest aircraft carrier fleet in the world with 11 ships—all powered by nuclear reactors—in service. China ranks second with three operational "flattops," including the first two that have recently conducted the country's first dual aircraft carrier operation Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Today's print edition Home Delivery The Maritime Self-Defense Force is upgrading its Izumo and Kaga destroyers into de facto aircraft carriers equipping them to operate the F-35B stealth fighter which features short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities Performance tests conducted in October and November last year confirmed that the upgraded Kaga can accommodate the F-35B without issue.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); The Izumo is scheduled to undergo its second upgrade this year while the Air Self-Defense Force will begin F-35B training Actual deployment is not expected to start in the near future In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division Summary and Key Points: Japan is sending its modified Izumo-class helicopter carrier West Coast for flight operations with the F-35B Lightning II between October and November 2024 Some experts consider the vessel a quasi-aircraft carrier.  -This follows Japan’s strategic move to upgrade its Izumo-class vessels to operate fixed-wing aircraft Though officially termed “multi-purpose operation destroyers” to align with Japan’s pacifist constitution the modifications bring them closer to aircraft carriers marking a significant step in Japan’s defense strategy under its reinterpreted constitution allowing for “collective self-defense.” -China’s concerns about Japan’s military resurgence have heightened with these developments One of the two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) modified Izumo-class helicopter carriers will be heading to the United States, where it will engage in flight operations with the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II JS Kaga (DDH-184) will assess its “ability to operate” the short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL) fifth-generation fighter in “developmental tests… scheduled to take place between October 5 and November 18, 2024, off the coast of San Diego,” Army Recognition reported on Tuesday The United States Marine Corps had previously conducted STOLV exercises on JS Izumo (DDH-183) in October 2021. “U.S. Marines embarked aboard the JS Izumo and worked directly with JMSDF personnel as part of a bilateral effort to ensure the capability test was both effective and safe,” the service previously announced JS Kaga is about to begin its Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 the first since it underwent the modifications that enabled it to operate the fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter The post-World War II Japanese constitution renounced war as the sovereign right of the nation and armed forces with war potential would not be maintained That constitution is also notable in that it hasn’t been amended since its implementation in 1947 it has been a matter of semantics when it comes to aircraft carriers The JMSDF has operated the JS Izumo and JS Kaga multi-role flattops since 2013 and 2015 respectively the two warships may resemble modern aircraft carriers but were officially described by Tokyo as a “multi-purpose operation destroyer” due to their main purpose being to seek out and destroy enemy submarines in the self-defense of Japan.  However, the vessels have each begun a two-stage transformation that will allow them to operate fixed-wing aircraft – notably the F-35B Lightning II JS Izumo has undergone its initial modification stage That has included the application of heat-resistant paint to its flight deck – suggesting it is far easier to change the capabilities of a warship than it is to modify the Japanese constitution JS Kaga has seen the modification of its bow section that has earned comparisons to the U.S Navy’s Wasp-class and America-class amphibious assault ships According to Naval News “The first-stage modifications also include reinforcing the flight deck to support additional weight drawing the yellow lines on the flight deck necessary for launching and landing F-35Bs and fitting the ship with heat-resistant deck spots for vertical landings.” despite these modifications of the vessels Tokyo remains cautious in its exact terminology refraining from explicitly labeling the modified Izumo-class vessels as aircraft carriers That decision aligns with the nation’s long-standing defensive security policies under the pacifist constitution Instead, in 2014, then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a reinterpretation of Article 9 which allowed Japan to exercise the right of “collective self-defense,” in some instances and even to engage in military action if one of its allies were to be attacked Beijing has expressed concerns over Japanese remilitarization efforts, including its decision to operate what are essentially “ mini-aircraft carriers” in everything but name Image Credit: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock The French suffered 476 casualties in the Battle of Puebla while the outnumbered Mexicans only suffered 339 Another Izumo-class helicopter carrier has become only the second Japanese naval vessel to embark a fixed-wing fighter aircraft on its flight deck since the Second World War This milestone was marked when a Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft operated by the US Marine Corps (USMC) landed on the second-of-class JS Kaga on 20 October while the ship was at sea The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) confirmed the milestone in a statement released via its official social media channels on 21 October In October 2021 the first-of-class JS Izumo became the first Japanese naval vessel to embark fixed-wing fighters since the Second World War when two USMC F-35Bs carried out take-offs and landings from its flight deck The inaugural landing on Kaga wascarried out as part of a series of short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) tests by USMC-operated F-35Bs between 5 October and 18 November These tests are being carried out off the southern coast of California and they aim to familiarise more JMSDF personnel with F-35B operations Kaga is one of two Izumo-class helicopter carriers operated by the JMSDF Both vessels were conceived as helicopter carriers but have been built with weight and strength considerations that allow the ships to embark F-35Bs Japan began refitting Kaga for F-35B operations in March 2022 while Izumo underwent the modifications in 2021 Japan is sending one of its Izumo-class helicopter carriers to San Diego in the United States as part of efforts to eventually deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft on the vessel type In its statement released on 10 September the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) disclosed that the vessel will be carrying out tests of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft from 5 October to 18 November STOVL operations will be carried out on Kaga First-of-class JS Izumo was commissioned in March 2015 while Kaga was inducted in March 2017 Both vessels were conceived as helicopter carriers but have been built with weight and strength considerations that allow them to embark F-35Bs In March 2022 Japan Marine United (JMU) confirmed that it has begun refit works on Kaga at the company's Kure shipyard in Kure City but the company did not provide further details on this Visual confirmation on what this refit work consisted of only began emerging in December 2023 when the JMSDF's Escort Flotilla 4 released images of the vessel post refit These images indicate that the refit works have mostly focused on the bow section of its flight deck which now features two symmetrical right angles instead of the trapezoidal shape that it was originally designed with Japan was one of the greatest naval powers during World War II when it fielded over 20 aircraft carriers until the end of the war the country scrapped all of its carriers after its defeat and since Japan adopted a pacifist constitution But changing times means changing defensive requirements Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has the JS Kaga an Izumo-class destroyer designated as a helicopter destroyer This ship has flat top that allows five helicopters to operate on it deck simultaneously It has a typical load of seven choppers but can be outfitted to carry as many as 28 which are designed to take off on short runways and land vertically It has modified its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers to carry jets turning them into full-fledged aircraft carriers: the first ones Japan would have since its surrender to the United States almost 80 years ago the introduction of advanced ship-killing missiles means that it can now hit targets hundreds or even thousands of miles away while the defensive range of most ship-based weapons systems only have a range of about 100 miles Izumo-class ships carrying F-35Bs would be crucial for the JMSDF in helping it maintain control of sea lanes within Japan's territorial waters The U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings magazine even said in its 2019 issue the F-35B would be invaluable in establishing the local air control required for Japan's new amphibious regiment to retake remote islands." The publication may have said this in relation to the ongoing dispute of China and Japan with the Senkaku Islands The Kaga is being upgraded to aircraft carrier status, so it will see some minor changes. The JMSDF shared on X last December 2023 that the special modifications on the Kaga are nearing completion The Izumo bow is now shaped as a rectangle instead of the original trapezoid making it easier to launch F-35s from its deck the two ships will get reinforced decks to support the weight and heat of the F-35B Lightning IIs plus the addition of guidance equipment and painted lines to help with the operation of fighter aircraft The JMSDF will also make some interior changes to the ships although it did not specify what these changes will be It expects the interior upgrades to begin by March 2027 so there's still some time before Japan has a fully operational light aircraft carrier in its naval fleet The Izumo-class Kaga might sound familiar to World War II historians That's because it shares a name with another aircraft carrier in the then-Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) The Kaga was the third IJN aircraft carrier The Kaga was part of the Japanese fleet that bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941 and it also took part in the Battle of Midway the following year It was during this battle that the ship took four bomb hits igniting the fuel onboard and causing a massive explosion The original Kaga is much larger than the new one which is so much more than the 28 helicopters the new Kaga is designed to carry given that the F-35B is much larger than most rotary-wing aircraft This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page What You Need to Know: A Royal Air Force (RAF) F-35B has successfully landed on the Japanese flattop JS Kaga for the first time marking another step in enhancing interoperability among allied forces in the Indo-Pacific -The transformation of Japan’s JS Kaga and JS Izumo into F-35B-compatible carriers reflects Tokyo’s evolving defense capabilities amid regional tensions -While Japan avoids calling these ships “aircraft carriers” due to constitutional restrictions their expanded air capabilities have drawn China’s attention as the upgraded Izumo-class carriers could support air operations reaching targets within mainland China “Landmark landing! A F-35 pilot has landed on a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force platform for the first time. @RoyalNavy Lt Cmdr Baker – a test pilot on exchange with the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force – conducted the flight that aims to boost allies’ integration,” UK Defence Staff in US announced on X the social media platform formerly known as Twitter The vertical landing on November 2 occurred while the JMDSF warship was operating in the Pacific Ocean “Pax ITF flight test members, U.S. Sailors and Marines, and the JS Kaga crew are executing developmental tests during these sea trials to gather the necessary compatibility data to certify F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft operations,” the F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force (PAX ITF) announced the test team will make recommendations for future F-35B operational launch and recovery envelopes further enhancing the Japanese navy’s capabilities,” PAX ITF added “The results of the testing will contribute to improved interoperability between Japan and the United States alliance and strengthening the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.” JS Kaga is one of the JMSDF Izumo-class multi-functional destroyers being transformed to operate with the F-35B the fifth-generation fighter’s short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant The ongoing tests follow similar ones carried out with JS Izumo in 2021 marking the first time a Japanese warship has operated with fixed-wing aircraft since the Second World War The JMSDF has operated the JS Izumo and JS Kaga since 2013 and 2015 respectively Though the two warships may resemble modern aircraft carriers were officially described by Tokyo as a “multi-purpose operation destroyer” due to their main purpose being to seek out and destroy enemy submarines in the self-defense of Japan with rotary aircraft Tokyo approved a plan that would greatly enhance the capabilities of the warships – transforming them into de facto aircraft carriers Each of the vessels has already begun a two-stage transformation that will allow them to operate fixed-wing aircraft – notably the F-35B Lightning II which included the application of heat-resistant paint to its flight deck while JS Kaga has seen the aforementioned modification of its bow section – which has resulted in it earning comparisons to the U.S Despite the modifications to its helicopter destroyers, Tokyo remains cautious in its exact terminology which was adopted after the Second World War It did require some “reinterpretation” of the constitution’s Article 9 – allowing Japan to exercise the right of “collective self-defense,” and to engage in military action if one of its allies were to be attacked each of the converted warships could greatly enhance the JMSDF’s ability to carry out air operations in the contested East China Sea – a move that has earned condemnation from Beijing China may also note that Japan could be among the largest operators of the F-35 in Asia and is currently on track to purchase at least 42 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters The carrier-based aircraft could be employed to strike positions within mainland China. According to a report from Interesting Engineering researchers at the National Defence University’s College of Joint Operations operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have conducted war game studies and warned that U.S.-made stealth aircraft – including the F-35 but also the F-22 Raptor – could hit already Shanghai with cruise missiles while operating from Japanese airspace the stealth F-35B could possibly strike targets even deeper within China Whether that fact serves as a deterrent to Beijing or only increases the saber-rattling has yet to be seen The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has announced that its helicopter carrier will conduct operational tests with Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II multirole fighter aircraft off the coast of San Diego The operational tests will involve an F-35B fighter aircraft from the United States Marine Corps The trials will use the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) which was developed by the US Navy and Raytheon JPALS is an all-weather system that uses GPS and inertial navigation to guide aircraft safely and accurately during landings The tests are part of the JMSDF’s Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24) and will also involve around 20 members of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force The Kaga is being converted into a fully functional aircraft carrier to support F-35B operations The conversion is crucial to strengthening deterrence against China’s military activity in the East The Kaga’s bow has recently been modified into a rectangular shape and its deck has been enhanced to withstand the intense heat generated by aircraft landings are undergoing major upgrades to prepare for F-35B operations The Izumo is currently in its second modification phase which includes converting the flight deck’s bow portion from a trapezoid to a square shape similar to the modifications completed on the Kaga These upgrades are part of a modernization initiative The Izumo conversion will be finished by fiscal year 2027 Both carriers are 248 meters long and have a standard displacement of 19,500 tons The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has yet to receive its F-35Bs developed in the United States The first delivery is scheduled for the end of fiscal year 2024 Japan plans to acquire 42 F-35Bs and deploy them at the JASDF’s Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture The base will host a temporary F-35B Squadron for this fiscal year Japan aims to improve its naval aviation capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Pacific such as a video call between US Indo-Pacific Commander Adm Samuel Paparo and China’s PLA Southern Theater Commander Gen reflect continued efforts to control regional tensions Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct we make no representations or warranties of any kind suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date and insightful coverage of the maritime industry Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate Signup today and get maritime ebooks submitted to your inbox directly.  © 2010 - 2025 Marine Insight — All Rights Reserved We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously Please Register or Sign in to view this content Quantum Commodity Intelligence is a premium paid subscription service for professionals in the oil Quantum Biofuels service subscribers have access to: Get in touch with us for subscription information on all Quantum platforms This Japanese city is for people seeking love13 February 2025ShareSaveKaren GardinerShareSaveGetty ImagesIf you pray for love in Izumo there's a good chance you'll be heard eight million gods gather in this seaside city to decide the fate of humans' relationships At least that's the impression when you land at Japan's auspiciously named Izumo Enmusubi Airport Translating roughly to "the tying (musubi) of bonds (en)" the word enmusubi encompasses many of the relationships that are part of life but most often references romantic entanglements This connotation is in the air as you step off the plane and walk past a statue of a jovial god named Okuninushi known as the "great matchmaking power" and a rack of ema (wooden prayer plaques) inscribed with travellers' romantic wishes It may seem like travellers here have love on the mind and that's because if you pray for love in Izumo thought to be the country's oldest shrine and dedicated to Okuninushi who is worshipped as the creator of Japan and the god of enmusubi in Japan's indigenous Shinto religion "He is the god who governs things that cannot be seen by humans" "You could say he is the god of matchmaking He brings people together; he has tremendous power." That's why Izumo Taisha has become popularly known as one of Japan's "power spots" a term that emerged in the 1990s to describe places that are said to possess special powers to generate good luck While the philosophy of power spots is a fuzzy grab bag of Shintoism its popularity over the last few decades has increased tourism to places like Izumo More than seven million people visited the shrine in 2023 including around 350 couples who got married there Set on an often tempestuous sea and a place of sunsets so stunning that they are certified by Japan Heritage as an important cultural property But nowhere exerts such a mighty pull as Izumo Taisha Singles visit to ask Okuninushi to find them a partner while couples ask him to bless their relationship Many write their wishes on an ema in the faith that they will reach Okuninushi directly • Japan's adrenaline-fuelled adventure • Eat your way through Tokyo's best sushi • Sleep like a shōgun-era samurai at Kyoto's finest ryokan time their trip to the 10th month of Japan's old lunar calendar (usually November) because that's when Japan's eight million kami (gods and spirits) travel from all around the country to gather in the city this month is known as Kan-na-dzuki (the month without gods) but in Izumo it's called Kami-ari-dzuki (the month with gods) The reason for this seaside gathering is that the gods have a job to do: they are there to decide the fate of humans' relationships in the coming year The seven-day gathering of the gods (11-17 November 2025) is a spectacle in its own right. It begins on the beach at Inasa-no-Hama with a ceremony welcoming the kami to Izumo bonfires are lit and shrine priests escort the kami to Izumo Taisha shielding them from the gathered public's view with white sheets The kami also enjoy feasts and lots of sake offered up by local brewers A handful of those eight million kami enjoy the local sake a little too enthusiastically and hang around well beyond their official departure date "There's a goddess who is known for her persuasiveness," Maeda said "She eventually has to perform a ceremony telling them that they have to go home." I visited Izumo a few days after (most of) the kamis' departure in late November last year. I hadn't arrived looking for love, rather to sip sake in the place said to be its spiritual birthplace and explore the rugged coastline's cliffs and caves Approaching the altar under a huge shimenawa (rope) I dropped a five-yen coin into the offering box – five yen ("go-en") is thought to be good luck because in Japanese the respectful way to refer to "en" (bonds) the custom distinct from other Shinto shrines where worshippers clap just twice Maeda said the red-and-white amulet is particularly well known "for bringing people together in love" Then I peeked at some of the handwritten wishes inscribed on the ema hanging along the shrine's pathways "It's said that writing your wishes on an ema will ensure that [they] reach the gods directly," said Maeda Some of those written wishes asked to simply find love requesting to "get married within three years" Could they ignore the apps and look to the heavens instead is a degree of belief in higher powers required "Whether they believe or not is beside the point," said Tokyo-based author Hiroko Yoda Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan "belief" or "disbelief" doesn't really factor into Japanese spirituality," she explained "People go to Izumo Taisha because it is famous or because they feel a personal need or simply because they want to check it out There's no recruiting or evangelising or claims of power." As for choosing between praying for love and downloading a matchmaking app Yoda added: "Japanese spirituality embraces rather than rejects."  Yoda considers Izumo Taisha's image as a sacred matchmaking spot to be largely the product of tourism marketing; when I hear the word 'power spot' But she also believes that there's a "spiritually playful aspect" to its promotion which the flexibility and inclusivity of Japanese spirituality allows for They co-exist with modern society," she said Go to Izumo to pray for a partner but do so with the awareness that "Izumo Taisha's offering of connection goes far beyond that of finding your romantic match" reinforcing the widely inclusive meaning of enmusubi "It's about the invisible web of metaphorical threads that bring us together for all sorts of things If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. 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Invented to satiate pregnancy cravings, Dubai chocolate is a rare combination of creativity, flavours and social media success that has broken all industry records. A Japanese helicopter destroyer, which bears the same name as an aircraft carrier that took part in Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, visited the Hawaiian harbor on Tuesday Newsweek has reached out to the Japanese Defense Ministry for comment by email Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class JS Kaga (DDH-184) coming into Pearl Harbor - November 26, 2024 #jskaga #ddh184 pic.twitter.com/IBE90SdS4n The warship's namesake arises from Kaga Province, an administrative area of Japan that was abolished in the late 1800s. On December 7, 1941, six Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carriers, including one named after Kaga, launched an air raid on Pearl Harbor The attack, which killed 2,390 American service members and civilians, led the United States to declare war on Japan as well as later its allies Germany and Italy The war ended with Tokyo's surrender on September 2 "This visit builds upon the symbolic groundwork laid when President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor in 2016," Jeffrey J who is a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan The Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed by an American atomic bomb on August 6 and 9 with an estimated total of 150,000 to 246,000 people killed This marked the first and remained the only wartime use of nuclear weapons this is not the first time a Japanese self-defense force warship has been to Pearl Harbor and it was probably bound to happen eventually given the ever-growing security ties between the U.S Japan's postwar constitution prohibits the country, which is now a U.S. ally, from having offensive weapons such as attack aircraft carriers that are designed for the mass destruction of another country only as they would exceed the minimum necessary level for self-defense Tokyo claimed in 2018 that the modified shall continue to engage in missions such as the defense of the country as "multifunction destroyers," though they are now equipped to carry fighter jets The present-day Kaga completed its modifications in March following two years of work including the application of heat-resistant coating to its flight deck to support the operation of the F-35B Lightning II a stealth fighter jet capable of short takeoff and vertical landing The Kaga's trapezoidal bow was converted into a rectangle, and its flight deck was painted with new yellow markings to facilitate flight operations. It and its sister ship, JS Izumo, which began modifications in 2021 will be Japan's first aircraft carriers since the war According to the F-35B manufacturer Lockheed Martin the stealth aircraft is planned for its first formal deployment with the Izumo and the Kaga in 2027 and 2028 the Kaga conducted its first trials with the F-35B in the Eastern Pacific Ocean This improved the U.S.-Japan interoperability and strengthened the deterrence and response capabilities of the security alliance Besides the Izumo and the Kaga, Japan is the home of USS George Washington, one of 11 aircraft carriers in service with the U.S. Navy. The George Washington returned to a naval base in Japan last week for its second forward deployment in the East Asian allied nation The World War II-era Kaga was sunk after the Battle of Midway from June 4 to 7, 1942, off an atoll located to the northwest of Hawaii Its wreckage was discovered in 1999 and 2019 Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. The United States is helping Japan build its first post-war aircraft carriers with a Japanese helicopter carrier currently undergoing conversion into a light aircraft carrier having arrived in California for flight tests San Diego Web Cam, a channel featuring live streaming webcam views of the city and its bay, captured the arrival of JS Kaga on Saturday, blanketed in dense fog The Japanese ship has a displacement of 19,950 tons and is 813 feet in length The Kaga was built as the second of Japan's Izumo-class helicopter-carrying destroyers and entered service in 2017 It bears the name of the World War II-era aircraft carrier Kaga which took part in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) coming into foggy San Diego - October 5, 2024 #jskaga #ddh184SRC: webcam pic.twitter.com/tBdVI5YnvE According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force the Kaga will conduct flight tests with F-35B fighter jets off San Diego including short-takeoff and vertical landing The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, a U.S. Defense Department program office that leads the life-cycle program management of the fifth-generation fighter jet confirmed to Newsweek that the Kaga will carry out F-35B developmental tests in the Eastern Pacific Ocean secure and efficient flight tests in partnership with U.S "The trials will pave the way for increased interoperability with our allies," it said Newsweek has also contacted the Japanese Defense Ministry for comment by email carrying U.S.-designed stealthy F-35B fighter jets which was invaded by Japan during World War II Beijing has claimed that Tokyo might violate its pacifist constitution which was the legal basis for the country's adherence to peaceful post-war development Japan is prohibited from having "offensive weapons" that can be used only for the mass destruction of another country including "attack aircraft carriers," as they would directly exceed the definition of the "minimum necessary level" for self-defense the country's 2018 defense program guidelines said the modified Izumo-class warships shall continue to engage as "multi-function destroyers" in missions such as defense of the country In addition they would not have any permanently assigned fighter jet squadrons The procurement of the F-35B is part of the Izumo-class modification plan Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) coming into foggy San Diego - October 5, 2024 #jskaga #ddh184SRC: INST- yellowmanbb pic.twitter.com/Pq976LzzEB The possession of aircraft carriers will enable Japan to have greater flexibility in its fighter jet operations in the contested East China Sea where it has territorial disputes with China Tokyo has planned to purchase 42 F-35B fighter jets for its Air Self-Defense Force Upgrades also included the application of heat-resistant coating to the flight deck with the Izumo and the Kaga now resembling U.S Both Japanese warships are expected to carry fighter jets by 2027 ET: This article has been updated with comment from the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office On May 9, the Ministry of Defense addressed video footage which shows aerial footage allegedly captured by a drone. It is of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer JS Izumo. The ministry (MoD) also announced that the footage, which circulated widely on social media Initially, the ministry suggested it was probably fake. Considering the potential severity of a drone attack the MoD emphasized that it is taking the incident "extremely seriously." It also indicated that it is committed to implementing all necessary security measures.  Approximately 20 seconds long, the video shows a drone approaching from above the JS Izumo. At the time, the ship was berthed at the MSDF Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture the drone recorded footage as it approached the bow.  the ministry compared the vessel in the video with the actual Izumo Its investigative team also checked the ship's number written on the destroyer's deck and verified its surrounding environment.  The findings suggested a strong likelihood that an unauthorized drone was indeed used to capture footage of the Izumo the drone has not caused any confirmed damage The MoD said the footage was originally uploaded to a Chinese video-sharing website on March 26 on March 29 the video of the destroyer resurfaced on X (formerly Twitter) Ministry officials declined to comment on the videographer's identity or the purpose behind the filming Under the Drone Act flying drones above the base at altitudes exceeding 300 meters without prior MSDF authorization is strictly prohibited MSDF personnel also maintain ongoing surveillance of the area The JS Izumo is the largest destroyer in the MSDF fleet. It is currently undergoing conversion into a de facto aircraft carrier capable of accommodating the latest F-35B stealth fighter jets the ministry says it prioritized cautious information analysis "This included the possibility that the online aerial drone footage was manipulated with malicious intent," Kihara explained (Read the related article in Japanese.) You must be logged in to post a comment TUFS signed a comprehensive collaborative agreement with Izumo City The signing ceremony was held at Izumo City Hall with Izumo City Mayor Iizuka Toshiyuki and President Hayashi Kayoko concluding the agreement Vice President Nakayama Toshihide also attended the signing ceremony It is hoped that through mutual cooperation and collaboration in the fields of culture the university will contribute to the development of human resources who will lead the future development of local communities The main purpose of this agreement is to work with Izumo City as a base for activities that contribute to the formation of diverse career paths for graduate students and young researchers young researchers from our university will stay in the Izumo area for a certain period of time to discover issues and pursue intellectual pursuits By overlapping the “cultural diversity” of the Izumo area with the “strengths of research into languages and cultures around the world” possessed by young researchers from our university we plan to create a model for regional development President Hayashi and the others visited two locations in Izumo City The first was the co-working space “Izumo Nomad” in front of Izumo Station This facility is a place where people from diverse backgrounds including highly skilled IT engineers from Eastern Europe but also a wide range of initiatives to support adaptation to Japanese culture and life and it serves as a hub connecting the local community with the world we visited Izumo Municipal Chubu Elementary School which is a base for the education of children with foreign roots in Izumo The school provides education that supports the balance between learning Japanese and academic subjects and also makes use of teaching materials developed by the Center for Intercultural Studies of TUFS we were able to get a glimpse of the advanced efforts being made towards multicultural coexistence in the Izumo region we will deepen our collaboration with the people of the Izumo region work to solve the issues arising from diversity and create a practical educational and research environment for graduate students and young researchers A video that was uploaded to Bilibili appears to show footage taken from a drone flying over the Izumo at Yokosuka naval base TOKYO -- A viral video purporting to show overhead drone footage of Japan's largest destroyer has raised grave concerns about the ability of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to detect potential threats The footage of the JS Izumo was first posted on Chinese video-sharing platform Bilibili Japan's Defense Ministry said May 9 it has determined the video appears authentic and that a drone likely flew over Yokosuka naval base to film the destroyer Shimane — Many railroad fans recently came to Izumo to say goodbye to a pair of Ichibata Electric Railway trains once known as “Izumo Taisha trains,” express trains connecting Matsue and Izumo Taisha shrine which have now been retired due to age after running for decades please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent While most of the company’s trains are painted its signature orange color finally arriving at Unshu-Hirata Station in Izumo applauding and saying things like “Thank you for 26 years of service!” during which train enthusiasts and other visitors got the chance to take pictures of the trains up close and the Ichibata Electric Railway company acquired them from Tokyo’s Keio Corp. and began running them on its line in 1998 The trains’ exterior coloration is meant to evoke the color of Lake Shinji and the solemnity of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine These trains once gave some extra excitement to passengers sightseeing in Izumo “These trains let people forget about time as they enjoy the scenery of Shimane Prefecture I wanted to tell them what a good job they had done,” a 46-year-old man from Matsue said “Today’s event was the final proof that these trains were loved by all of you,” an official of Ichibata Electric Railway said Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun Barnston West runner Perry MacKinnon to represent Ivy League at Japan’s Izumo Ekiden Townships-born Perry MacKinnon is set to participate in the prestigious Izumo Ekiden relay race in Japan an annual event known for its high-speed format and rich history will not be running due to a recent injury he remains an integral part of the team as they prepare to compete on Oct Growing up in the rural community of Barnston West MacKinnon’s running journey began during his high school years where his natural talent quickly became evident “I was winning races and setting course records with no training,” he recalls leading him to train more rigorously and eventually compete at the university level MacKinnon’s academic path took him to Cornell University he set school records in the 5,000-metre and 10,000-metre events His running prowess earned him several accolades including five podium finishes in the Ivy League and three appearances at the NCAA National Championships His most recent achievement was being named an All-American in cross-country after finishing 19th at last year’s national championships Currently pursuing a master’s degree at Syracuse University MacKinnon had initially planned a different trajectory for the fall I wanted to race a half marathon,” he explained the chance to represent the Ivy League in the Izumo Ekiden was too significant to pass up “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” MacKinnon said “I can always run a half marathon later but this experience is rare and exclusive.” which marks the start of the Japanese university relay season is one of the three major university ekiden races in Japan covering a total distance equivalent to a marathon While university-age students from across Japan typically compete the Ivy League team is the only foreign team invited to participate MacKinnon explained that despite his injury “They put a lot of importance on having a full team of eight even though only six people actually race,” he said “It’s symbolic for them.” His injury MacKinnon is still excited about the opportunity to travel and be part of the team Subscribe to read the full story EZ Newsite platform by Textuel and TolléWeather information by OpenWeatherMap Chinese social media subsequently went viral with the 19-second video There are several questions about how the drone managed to penetrate the airspace above the MSDF facility without being detected It flew above the deck of the Izumo while neither the SDF nor the police even noticed.  The Izumo is a frontline MSDF vessel currently being converted into a light aircraft carrier it will be capable of carrying F35B fighter jets A surprise attack by a bomb-carrying drone could prevent the Izumo from leaving port or conducting combat operations for a relatively lengthy period That in turn would create a gaping hole in Japan's defense posture.  Defense Minister Minoru Kihara announced that he was treating the situation "extremely seriously." He further promised that the government would implement measures to ensure security the responsible officials will reflect on their negligence and take all possible countermeasures to deal with this threat.  According to the Drone Act it is prohibited to fly a drone without permission over the MSDF Yokosuka Base or within a periphery of 300 meters from the base.  A Chinese national appears to have taken the drone footage in question. Meanwhile, some people have explained it away as a prank. Nonetheless, such an illegal act that compromises Japan's national security cannot be brushed off The military and civilian police and security officers need to get to the bottom of the matter.  The same X account also posted multiple aerial videos of the United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan US bases have similar restrictions regarding drones.  The question is whether Japan can quickly adopt effective countermeasures The first problem is that drones apparently can go undetected guidance is needed to neutralize or expel it from a restricted area.  Jamming to interfere with the radio waves has been suggested the radio waves accessed to control drones are in the civilian frequency band It is questionable whether the SDF and police are prepared to make full use of such disruptive techniques.  The introduction of interception lasers should be expedited it will be difficult for the SDF to use weapons like this unless they are first deployed for defense purposes.  The police have primary responsibility for security around military installations Protection from drones is required around the clock it is difficult to conceive that prefectural police forces have the capability and will to protect SDF and US military facilities.  Hostile countries considering invading Japan would be delighted if calls for more rigorous security were shouted down.  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has jurisdiction over the use of radio waves and the National Security Council should immediately hold a joint review on how to deal with drones Then they must effectively implement drastic countermeasures.  (Read the editorial in Japanese.) Author: Editorial Board You must be logged in to post a comment Home » Japan Starts Conversion Work on Second Izumo-class DDH The battleship Yamato (once the pride of the Imperial Japanese Navy) was built on the same site has been primarily designed to carry SH-60 helicopters and to operate as a core ship in anti-submarine warfare the Japanese government made a decision to modify the Izumo-class DDH to allow it to operate F-35B fighter jets The main purpose of this is to strengthen air defense capabilities and to complement the operation of the F-35B by the U.S  It is also believed to be aimed at strengthening Japan’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region on the occasion of the Indo-Pacific Deployment (IPD) a long-term deployment of Izumo-class DDHs and other destroyers in the Indo-Pacific region that has been conducted for the past several years the current modification of the Kaga is a very large-scale project that not only makes the flight deck heat resistant with new markings but also includes changes to the shape of the bow The difference can be seen in the modification cost: the Izumo‘s first modification cost 3.1 billion yen while the Kaga‘s cost was 20.3 billion yen the first modification of the Kaga is expected to take 14 months followed by a second modification of the ship’s interior F-35B deliveries to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Six aircraft will be deployed to the base in FY2024 and eventually one squadron (20 aircraft) will be based there Strengthening the Commitment to Launching the VTuber Platform 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AnotherBall (CEO: Shunsuke Oyu an entertainment company dedicated to "creating mutual understandings beyond boundaries," announced today that it has successfully secured USD$12.7 million in funding during its seed round This brings the company's total funding to approximately USD$14.8 million This funding round was led by ANRI and Hashed with additionalparticipation from Global Brain as well as several individual investors including Crunchyroll founder Kun Gao Their collective interest in the rapidly evolving field of virtual entertainment aligns with the vision of IZUMO IZUMO has been actively engaging in pioneering technological projects such as "Ailis" and "SAI by IZUMO." Drawing from the insights gained through these endeavors IZUMO is currently developing a platform that will empower creators worldwide to connect with fans and monetize their content The beta version of this platform is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2024 (January-March) with a full-scale public launch expected later in the year The world is gradually becoming more avatar-oriented and this is part of a larger liberation of human potential This philosophy has remained unchanged since our inception and is at the core of our vision for the future observing the games and content that children are passionate about today it becomes evident that a significant portion of humanity will inevitably and irreversibly engage in economic activities through avatars we believe that VTubers are the ones carrying this future our company has undertaken numerous challenges in the realm of characters and surrounding technological areas through endeavors like Ailis and SAI we plan to launch a service that incorporates the lessons we have learned and we hope you will eagerly anticipate it We are committed to transforming the trust and expectations the community has placed in us through this seed round into solid outputs and strive to deliver the ultimate otaku lifestyle to people all around the world AnotherBall is a venture company established in May 2022 The management team consists of serial entrepreneurs who previously launched "mamari," an information hub website for families and the multinational VTuber agency known as "PRISM Project." The company's primary focus is on IZUMO a groundbreaking VTuber project with the mission to "Live as you want to be." AnotherBall is actively recruiting new talent If you are intrigued by the opportunities in the emerging virtual entertainment industry please visit our careers page linked below For Public Relations InquiriesAnotherBallEmail: [email protected] Do not sell or share my personal information: